Environmental issues related to buildings

It is important to remind ourselves that as one of Europe’s largest economic sectors (almost 10% GDP) the construction is a very divers industry that includes a huge number of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
These SMEs will be instrumental in achieving the EU’s circular economy and carbon neutrality objectives. They need clear support to participate and strive in the sustainable built environment.

Recent innovations in engineered timber have laid the foundations for the world’s first wooden skyscrapers to appear within a decade, a feat that is not only achievable—according to the Centre for Natural Material Innovation—but one they hope will beckon in an era of sustainable wooden cities, helping reverse historic emissions from the construction industry.

Architects don’t usually like prefabricated solutions. But they concede there are upsides, and when time is of the essence, saving the planet becomes the priority
Practical or beautiful? The question doesn’t seem to be relevant when it comes to retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency. Prefabricated solutions are considered to be both efficient and aesthetically pleasing.

CitizEE is a new Coordiantion and Support Action at European level, funded under the Horizon 2020 programme. The project has been launched in May 2019, with a kick-off meeting held by WIP Renewable Energies in its facilities in Munich (Germany), on May 7th-8th.
The meeting gathered the 8 partners forming the consortium and served as starting point for the CitizEE project

The construction sector has a large potential for cost effective energy savings. With the EU planning aimed at nearly zero energy target for new buildings by 2020, the construction sector is confronted with the urgent need to upskills its workforce.
This need implies both meeting the targets and learning how to use innovative approaches and technology solutions to keep high quality of construction and increase the building energy efficiency.

Getting on track to limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C, as was agreed in Paris back in 2015, would not just be good for our climate, but first and foremost for all citizens.
What changes to the European policy framework and new initiatives could be prepared and implemented in the coming years?
This paper on the zero carbon and circular challenge in the built environment puts forward several policy recommendations.

As Theresa May signs into law a commitment to bring the UK’s carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, one city in the UK is on its way to achieving this goal 22 years sooner
As one of her final acts as Prime Minister, Theresa May, announced that she will be signing into law a pledge to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. This would make Britain the first member of the G7 to make such a commitment official.

Glass in architecture has been recently used more intensively thanks to developments in its manufacturing
Whether you are arriving to or departing from Helsinki Airport, the first thing you notice is the glass around you and the characteristic Finnish design. If you pay attention, you will find yourself believing there are some forest elves watching you.
The impressive structure features glass that playfully illuminates the wood present everywhere.

A major venticool event is approaching: the 40th AIVC - 6th venticool & 8th Tight Vent joint conference:
"From energy crisis to sustainable indoor climate - 40 years of AIVC" to be held in Ghent on 15-16 October 2019.
Also, you should save the dates for the 41st AIVC- 7th venticool & 9th TightVent Conference on 14, 15 & 16 September 2020 in Athens, Greece.